Establish a location for the family to reunite if members become separated.

Arrange for a friend or relative in another town to be a communication contact for the extended family.

Learn the emergency plans of the family's schools, day-care centers, workplaces, and clubs.

Make a habit of tuning in to daily weather forecasts and be aware of changing conditions. The Emergency Broadcast System on commercial radio and TV stations will announce a WATCH if an emergency situation is expected and a WARNING if it is imminent or in progress.

Learn Emergency food and water procedures.

Be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for up to five days.

Take emergency drinking water from melting ice cubes, water heater, and canned fruits and vegetables.

Don't drink municipal tap water, or water from any questionable sources, until it has been strained with a clean cloth and treated. To treat water add ten drops of chlorine bleach to each gallon of water, mix well, and let stand for about 30 minutes.

Freezer foods will last from 48 to 72 hours if the freezer is full and the door stays closed.

Discard all open food and beverages that may have been contaminated.

Eat perishable foods first.

Cook on portable grills, but only outdoors.

Determine an evacuation route and alternates.

Find out where main utility switches are and learn how to turn them off if they rupture and trained technicians are not available.